Air New Zealand Cancels 1,000 Flights Due to Border Uncertanties

Kiwi airline, Air New Zealand, has cancelled 1,000 flights between New Zealand and Australia due to border uncertanties. All flights with flight numbers from NZ100 and NZ200 that will depart between December 1 and 31 have been cancelled, with flights following that period to be kept on hold.

On Monday, 205 COVID-19 cases were reported in New Zealand, with slightly more than half of residents fully vaccinated. Due to this, the New Zealand Government stated that it is highly unlikely that travel without quarantine will resume this year, resulting in Air New Zealand cancelling 1,000 of their flights. 20,000 passengers will be affected by this cancellation. All flights to Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Hobart have been cancelled for the rest of this year. However, the airline had no choice but to do so.

"This will be particularly tough news for families and friends who were hoping to catch up over Christmas,"Ms Geraghty said in a statement.

"But our hands are tied until border restrictions ease, and we receive further clarity from the New Zealand government."

For those who do not mind the quarantine, fret not! Air New Zealand will still operate some flights to Sydney and Melbourne, with very strict restrictions and scaled-back operations. Boeing 787-9s will be used for the route. The airline is also trying to make an arrangement for flights to Brisbane and Perth.

"We are working with the Queensland and Western Australian Governments to secure quarantine space in order to operate managed return flights from New Zealand to Brisbane and Perth. An update will be provided in due course," said the Air New Zealand travel advisory. "We appreciate this as this is an incredibly unsettling time for customers."

What is Air New Zealand

Our global network of passenger and cargo services centres on New Zealand. Before COVID-19, we flew more than 17 million passengers every year, with 3,400 flights per week.

Our driving purpose is all about people. We're here to 'Enrich our country by connecting New Zealanders to each other and New Zealand to the world'.

Image: © Air New Zealand

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